RALEIGH
Oct 18, 2016
A group of structural engineers and architects volunteered their time to inspect flood-damaged properties in the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew, thanks to a new initiative launched by the state’s Division of Emergency Management.
The state agency’s Business Emergency Operations Center, or BEOC, is coordinating the effort to help residents, businesses and others assess structural damage to help speed recovery efforts in eastern North Carolina. This marks the first time this state program, which is headquartered in Raleigh, has been used during the response to a major incident.
“We are now able to use our resources to work with volunteers from the private sector to help the communities affected by Hurricane Matthew get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” said Mike Sprayberry, director of the Division of Emergency Management. “We have started sending licensed engineers and architects into communities to determine what needs to be done to refurbish or replace homes, businesses, roads, churches, schools and any other infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Matthew.”
This weekend, the state program assigned engineers and architects to inspect more than 435 homes in the small Edgecombe County towns of Pinetops and Princeville, and the Woodlake Dam in Moore County, according to Persia Payne-Hurley, private sector manager for the BEOC. The engineers and architects, who include private businesspeople and retirees, work for free.
During an emergency response, counties request engineering assistance and then the state deploys a team of engineers to work with a county inspector. They are assigned to work alongside county inspectors as they determine what will be necessary to make structures safe and inhabitable. They inspect properties, homes, roads and other structures for their structural integrity and safety.
The BEOC will be assigning specialists to conduct inspections in Kinston, Greenville, Lumberton, Princeville and other areas as floodwaters recede.
About a year ago, the BEOC started working with the state trade organizations for structural engineers and architects to line up specialists willing to volunteer after disasters. The engineers and architects were trained several months ago in a three-course disaster assessment program coordinated by the state.
Since its creation in 2014, the BEOC has established a partnership with more than 230 businesses and industries, provided a clearinghouse of information on storm recovery needs and enabled the private sector to access the most up-to-date information on the state’s recovery operations. The BEOC also administers the state’s disaster vendor reentry certification program, which allows businesses access to areas restricted for curfews or safety reasons.
During the Hurricane Matthew response, the BEOC has also coordinated donations from the private sector and provided its partners with information about staging areas for food, water, clothing and other necessities.
“We want the private sector to have situational awareness,” Payne-Hurley said. “We want the private sector to know what we’re doing, where our greatest needs exist and how private businesses and industries can help out. Communities can only fully recover when the private sector is a part of the team.”
Businesses and industries interested in helping in the Hurricane Matthew recovery can contact the state’s Business Emergency Operations Center at beoc@ncdps.gov or 919-825-2454. After the State Emergency Operations Center returns to normal operations, businesses interested in helping can contact Payne-Hurley at 919-825-2285.
Individuals, including homeowners, renters, and business owners, in the designated counties who suffered loss or damages due to Hurricane Matthew may register for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by downloading the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For those who use 7-1-1 or Video Relay Service (VRS), the number is also 1-800-621-3362. For people using TTY, the number is 1-800-462-7585.
Dial 2-1-1(TTY users, dial Relay NC at 7-1-1) to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew or go to the United Way’s N.C. 2-1-1 site at http://www.unitedwaync.org/nc211. The service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.